Photo galleries of the numerous Sunday of Orthodoxy celebrations slated to be held on the first Sunday of Great Lent, March 1, 2015, will again be featured on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America.
Photos of regional, deanery and parish celebrations should be sent toinfo@oca.org . Photos should be sent in high resolution, at least 600 pixels in width or larger. No more than three [3] photos from any given celebration should be sent. Please do not send links to on-line galleries, Vimeo postings, etc. Only photos sent as attachments will be posted.
Include the name and location of the host parish, the celebration sponsor [deanery, diocese, clergy association, etc.], the name of the hierarch or main celebrant, and the name of the guest preacher within the body of the e-mail to which the photos are attached. Brief captions, especially for parish celebrations, are acceptable as well.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 11, 2015.
Pilgrims from across North America gathered at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA May 28-29, 2000 to celebrate the glorification of the first Orthodox Christian bishop to have been consecrated on North American soil—Saint Raphael Hawaweeny.
Today—February 27, 2015—marks the 100th Anniversary of Saint Raphael’s repose. His many missionary and pastoral journeys across North America to gather Orthodox Christian faithful of Middle Eastern background had taken their toll. He fell ill early in 1915, patiently bearing his infirmities at home. At 12:40 a.m. on February 27, he fell asleep in the Lord.
St. Raphael on pastoral visit to Beaumont, TX, circa 1914.
From his youth, Saint Raphael’s greatest joy was serving the Church. When he came to America, he found his scattered flock and called them to unity. He never neglected them, but traveled throughout America, Canada, and Mexico in search of them so that he might care for them. He kept them from straying from the faith and protected them from spiritual harm. During 20 years of faithful ministry, he nurtured them and helped them to grow. At the time of his death, the Syro-Arab Mission had 30 parishes with 25,000 faithful.
Saint Raphael also was a scholar and the author of several books. He wrote many, if not most, of the articles that appeared in The Word magazine—still published by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. While serving his own Arabic community, he reached out to Greeks and Russians, speaking to them in their own language. He became fluent in English, and encouraged its use in Church services and educational programs.
St. Tikhon [center] with Bishops Innocent of Alaska and Raphael of Brooklyn.
Saint Raphael came into contact with all sorts of people, and was a gentle father to them. He gained their love and respect by first loving them, and also through his charming personality and excellent character. He was always kind, merciful, and condescending with others, but was strict with himself. Having accomplished many good things during his earthly life, he entered the joy of eternal life where, with the holy angels and saints who went before him, he offers ceaseless prayer and praise to God.
A detailed account of Saint Raphael’s life and labors may be accessed here.
Through the prayers of our father among the saints, the holy Bishop Raphael, may we also be made worthy of the heavenly Kingdom.
On Sunday evening, March 1, 2015 — the first Sunday of Great Lent — Orthodox Christians will gather in churches around the world to commemorate the restoration of icons to their proper use in the Church on March 11, 843 AD, thereby ending the 100-plus year iconoclast controversy.
The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” [1 John 5:4]. Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” [Genesis 1:26], becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, together with His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, will be present for the Pan-Orthodox celebration of the Vespers of Orthodoxy Sunday at Saint John the Baptist Church, 170 Lexington Ave., Passaic, NJ at 5:00 p.m.
To mark the occasion, a message has been issued by the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, the complete text of which follows.
Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America
Sunday of Orthodoxy 2015
Longsuffering Lord, how wonderful are your works! Who will number your love for humankind? Who, when they see your Priests and Ascetics slain for the sake of your Icon, would not reject deceivers? But you, when insulted, endured [Synodikon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 9th Ode].
To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America:
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At the onset of our journey to Holy Pascha, the Church designates the first Sunday of Holy and Great Lent as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. On this day we celebrate the splendor of the Orthodox Church and her salvific mission in the world, and we call to mind the holy men and women who made great sacrifices in defense of holy icons and the authentic worship of God; we venerate the great champions of Orthodoxy who kept the faith alive.
Their enduring love and commitment to Christ has made it possible for future generations to come to know God. And as we are embraced by Christ and become one with Him, our lives are transformed into living icons of our Lord and of His sacrificial love for the world. The dogmas, teachings and traditions that were defended, therefore, are not antiquated theories, philosophies, or broken rubrics. They are tangible guides and spiritual directives for how we ought to live our lives according to the Holy Gospel.
Beloved brothers and sisters, perhaps now more than ever before, it is important to declare our Orthodox Christian Faith, for the world is suffering and desperately searching for peace and reconciliation. As the world produces distorted images of the truth, we must share the beauty of the Gospel. As the world resorts to violence and hatred, we must respond with love and forgiveness. And as the world falls deeper into despair, let us ask God to grant us courage to endure and to allow us to serve as icons of hope for our neighbor.
Wishing all of you, on behalf of the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, the abundant blessings of the Lord, I fervently pray that He grant to all of us the courage, the power and the wisdom to proclaim His eternal and saving Orthodox Faith to all people, both those who are far off and those who are near (Eph. 2:17).
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held its spring session at the Chancery here Tuesday through Thursday, March 12-14, 2013.
In addition to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, who chaired the sessions, other members of the Holy Synod in attendance were His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel; His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon; His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin; His Eminence, Archbishop Alejo; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek; His Grace, Bishop Michael; His Grace, Bishop Alexander; His Grace, Bishop Mark; and His Grace, Bishop Irenee. “It has been a little over a month since my enthronement in Washington, DC on January 27, and this report will serve as my monthly review for that time period,” said Metropolitan Tikhon in his opening address. “It is still my hope to provide my brother bishops with regular updates on the most crucial matters affecting the Orthodox Church in America in order to increase our level of communication and reduce the amount of time needed to review matters when we meet. In my first address to the Church, I stated that I had ‘no agenda other than that given to the Holy Apostles, no vision other than that set forth in the Holy Gospels, in the writings of the Fathers and in the decisions of the holy and sacred councils.’ I am nevertheless conscious of the high expectations that are placed on the office of the Primate and that these expectations fall to every one of us on the Holy Synod.”
Highlights of the session, according to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, include the following.
Each diocesan bishop offered an update on the activities of his respective diocese. The Holy Synod discussed vacancies throughout the OCA and the possible assignments of seminarians from Saint Herman’s, Saint Tikhon’s, and Saint Vladimir’s Seminaries.
Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor, reported on financial structures within the OCA. Various means of stewardship and ways to revitalize voluntary giving to the Church were discussed. Father John also introduced the newly appointed Coordinator of the Office for Review of Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Cindy Davis.
In response to Father Tosi’s Secretary report, the Holy Synod approved the recommendation of the Metropolitan Council to reschedule the 18th All-American Council [AAC] from 2014 to July 2015. A provisional Pre-Conciliar Commission [PCC] has been appointed. Among the locations being considered by the PCC are Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Denver. The Holy Synod directed that there be a youth fellowship component included in the AAC schedule. It is anticipated that the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America will host its convention concurrently. There will be extensive work prior to the Council on finance and Statute revisions. The Holy Synod also considered ways in which the All-American Council will operate to ensure the efficient and productive use of the limited time available for plenary sessions.
OCA Treasurer Melanie Ringa presented a detailed financial report. Ms. Ringa advised the hierarchs on the recent meeting of diocesan chancellors and treasurers. Her report will be available and posted on the OCA web site in the coming days.
Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, Director of External Affairs, reported on developments among the Orthodox Churches worldwide.
The Holy Synod reviewed the work of all departments, and in particular, received a presentation on theDepartment of Continuing Education by department chair, Archpriest Ian Pac-Urar. The recently formed department is overseeing the required 20 hours of continuing education program mandated for each bishop, priest and deacon and assisting in coordinating the program with each diocesan bishop.
The Guidelines for the Ordination, Appointment, and Transfer of Clergy, presented by the Board of Theological Education, were approved with editorial changes, while candidates for ordination to the diaconate through the Diaconal Vocations Program were reviewed and recommendations were approved.
The Holy Synod reviewed the revised Policies, Standards and Procedures on Sexual Misconduct and sent back recommendations for editorial changes and further clarification.
Clergy awards were discussed and approved.
The Holy Synod reviewed its Charter for the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee.
A committee was appointed to review texts for prayers and services for departed pre-born and stillborn children. It will be headed by Archbishop Benjamin and will include a liturgical theologian, a canon lawyer, and a mother.
The Holy Synod reviewed its upcoming calendar for the remainder of 2013 and set dates for meetings, retreats, and other special events. There will be a Holy Synod retreat in the summer of 2013. The hierarchs will attend the fourth annual Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America, September 17-19, 2013.
The fall meeting of the Metropolitan Council and Lesser Synod will take place September 23-26, 2013, while the fall meeting of the Holy Synod will convene October 15-17.
The Holy Synod approved Metropolitan Tikhon’s proposal that he and the Chancellor, Archpriest John Jillions, represent the OCA at the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome on Tuesday, March 19. It was noted that the OCA has been represented by a bishop and priest at the inauguration of each new Pope since 1970. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is organizing the participation of official delegations.
The second annual meeting of the chancellors and treasurers of 10 of the Orthodox Church in America’s dioceses was held at the Chancery here on Tuesday, February 19, 2013.
The chancellors and treasurers met with Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Eric Tosi, Secretary; Mrs. Melanie Ringa, Treasurer; and Priest Gleb McFatter, who chairs the Metropolitan Council Finance Committee. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, was unable to attend due to a prior commitment in Chicago; however, he sent a written message which was read to the group by Father Jillions. [The text of Metropolitan Tikhon’s message may be read here.]
The meeting was held for the purpose of continuing the work initiated in January 2012 in response to the resolution on assessments passed at the 16th All-American Council held in November 2011. New to the group this year were representatives from the Archdiocese of Canada, the Diocese of Alaska, and the Bulgarian Diocese. Invited representatives from the Albanian Archdiocese and Romanian Episcopate were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
After initial remarks by Father Jillions, each representative offered an update on activities in his or her respective diocese while highlighting any concerns, challenges and major issues. The meeting then focused more directly on the progress made by each diocese during the past year to collect parish financial data on which to base a formula for the transition to a proportional giving or “tithing” methodology.
“In addition, several of the dioceses have held conferences and seminars on stewardship and tithing; some have set dates by which to complete the transition to tithing, with these dates ranging from imminent to several years out,” said Ms. Ringa. “It became apparent that, while all dioceses share a desire to accomplish this goal, the challenges faced by the more ‘mature’ dioceses, such as Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, and New England, are vastly different than those encountered by dioceses such as the South and West.”
The discussion on this transition was “lively, with many potential formulas offered,” Ms. Ringa added. “The primary challenge centers on developing a formula that will accommodate each diocese’s distinct circumstances.”
The treasurers of the aforementioned dioceses expressed enthusiasm for working together and with Ms. Ringa via conference calls over the next year to exchange ideas and work towards a more concrete plan for the transition to proportional giving in their dioceses.
Those participating in the meeting further expressed their support for continuing and funding the work of the Central Church Administration, which has pledged to assist the dioceses in their respective ministries.
With the approval of theMetropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in America, the OCA Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministrylaunched its Saint Peter the Aleut Grant Program. The grant will be available to any youth or young adults seeking to offset costs of attending retreats, workshops, or conferences, or to visit an OCA seminary or monastery to discern a vocation. In addition, clergy and lay people may apply for assistance to offset the costs of continuing education in the field of youth ministry.
“We want to show that the greater Church supports our youth as they seek to deepen their life in Christ, and supports those who wish to develop their youth ministry skills,” said Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director. “To that end, we want to open this small grant program to as many individuals as possible. While award amounts will be small, in the area of $100-$500 dollars, we hope to partner with local parishes and dioceses to offer more comprehensive encouragement and assistance.”
Applications and detailed grant information may be accessed here.
Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. There is no deadline, but funding is on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate additional support from a parish or diocese.
“The seed money is from the The Antonia Rotko Charitable Remainder Trust, which gave a donation of $110,411.95 in 2011 to the Orthodox Church in America specifically for Youth and Young Adult Ministry,” said Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer. “At the start of each year, the Finance Committee of the Metropolitan Council will set the amount that grant can distribute throughout the year based on our endowment distribution policies.”
The process for awarding the grants will be overseen by a committee composed of Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director; Priest Christopher Rowe from the Diocese of the Midwest; Jeremy Pletnikoff, a member of the Metropolitan Council Finance Committee and delegate from the Diocese of Alaska.
For more information about the grant program or to apply, please contact Andrew Boyd at aboyd@oca.org.
The Holy Martyr Platon, brother of the holy Martyr Antiochus the Physician (July 16), was born at the city of Ancyra in Galatia. While still a youth he left home and went through the cities, preaching the Word of God to pagans, amazing his audience with the persuasiveness and beauty of his speech, and his profound knowledge of Greek learning.
Because of his preaching he was arrested and brought for trial to the temple of Zeus before the governor Agrippinus. At first, the judge attempted to persuade the saint to turn away from Christ by flattery. He assured the youth that he might be on a par of intellect with the greatest of the philosophers Plato, if only he worshipped also the pagan gods. To this St Platon answered, that the wisdom of the philosopher, although great, was but ephemeral and limited, whereas the true, eternal and unbounded wisdom comprised the Gospel teachings. Then the judge promised to give him his beautiful niece for his wife if he would deny Christ. He also threatened him with torture and death if he refused. St Platon replied that he chose a temporal death for the sake of eternal life. The patience of the governor was exhausted, and he gave orders to mercilessly beat the martyr, and then send him off to prison.
When they led St Platon off to prison, he turned to the people gathered about the temple, and he called on them not to forsake the Christian Faith. Seven days later they again led the Martyr Platon for trial before Agrippinus in the temple of Zeus, where they had the implements of torture already prepared: boiling cauldrons, red-hot iron and sharp hooks. The judge offered the martyr a choice: either to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, or to feel the effects of these implements of torture on his body. Again the saint steadfastly refused to worship idols, and after his tortures they threw him in prison for eighteen more days without bread or water. But seeing that this did not shake the martyr, they offered him his life and freedom if he would only say, "Great is the god Apollo." The martyr refused to deny Chirst or to sacrifice to the idols. Therefore, Agrippinus ordered the holy Martyr Platon to be beheaded.
